Aminul Islam Ustad: The badminton pioneer still waiting for state recognition

His story is one of personal sacrifice, sporting achievement and a lifelong commitment to nurturing talent—an enduring legacy that his admirers believe deserves formal national recognition

From nurturing generations of players to helping establish the foundations of badminton in Bangladesh, Aminul Islam Ustad devoted his life to the sport. Two decades after his death, his contributions remain a compelling case for posthumous national recognition.

Aminul Islam Ustad was more than a badminton player. He was a mentor, organiser and talent scout whose dedication helped shape the development of badminton in Bangladesh. Yet, despite his contribution to the sport and the generations of players he inspired, the state recognition he deserved during his lifetime remains elusive.

His story is one of personal sacrifice, sporting achievement and a lifelong commitment to nurturing talent—an enduring legacy that his admirers believe deserves formal national recognition.

A literary heritage, a life shaped by responsibility

Aminul Islam was born into a family with a strong intellectual tradition. His father, Abdul Wahab, was a distinguished English teacher during the British colonial period and an avid lover of literature. In 1940, Abdul Wahab corresponded with celebrated playwright George Bernard Shaw and received letters from him.

Despite this literary background, young Aminul gravitated towards sports, particularly badminton. But his adolescence was marked by family tragedy. The untimely death of his elder brother and his father's illness forced him to shoulder the responsibility of supporting the family at an early age.

He moved to Dhaka, where he began working as a sub-inspector in the Department of Food while continuing his education in the evening section of Dhaka College.

The demands of earning a living did not extinguish his passion for sport. Instead, badminton gradually became the defining pursuit of his life.

How a player became 'Ustad'

Aminul Islam established himself as a skilled and dedicated badminton player during the Pakistan period. Over time, however, his influence extended well beyond his own performance on the court.

His commitment to the game and his ability to identify, train and inspire promising players earned him the affectionate title of Ustad—a master and mentor. He became widely known as Aminul Islam Ustad.

In 1975, following Bangladesh's independence, he joined hands with renowned sportsman and close friend M H Khan, popularly known as Latu Mia, to establish the Dhaka Badminton Club.

The club became an important part of his sporting journey. He served not only as one of its founders but also as a player and organiser, helping build a platform for the development of badminton at a time when the sport was still taking shape in the country.

His achievements on the court were equally remarkable. At Bangladesh's first National Badminton Championship in 1975, Aminul Islam Ustad finished runner-up in the doubles event, while his son, Zakariul Islam Swapan, won the junior national title.

Four years later, father and son achieved an unusual distinction. Aminul won the national championship in veterans' doubles, while Swapan secured the men's doubles title. The achievement drew attention in national newspapers at the time.

The feat reflected not only their individual abilities but also the sporting culture Aminul had fostered within his family.

A talent scout who helped build champions

Those who remember Aminul Islam Ustad say his greatest contribution may have been the players he helped develop.

He had an exceptional eye for talent. At just seven years old, badminton player Mahbub caught his attention. Mahbub would later maintain a leading position in Bangladesh's badminton scene for 10 consecutive years.

Other players, including Saiful Islam Pintu and Ferdousi, also benefited from his guidance. His son, architect and badminton champion Zakariul Islam Swapan, was another product of the sporting environment he helped create.

For Aminul, badminton was not simply about winning tournaments. It was about recognising potential, building discipline and giving young players the opportunity to grow.

His legacy, therefore, extends beyond championship results. It lives on in the players he mentored and the sporting community he helped strengthen.

Beyond the court: A mentor remembered for his generosity

Aminul Islam Ustad's influence was not confined to the badminton arena. Friends and admirers remember him as a warm, generous and approachable man who commanded respect across the sporting community.

Whether among players, organisers or officials, he was widely regarded with affection and esteem. His cheerful disposition and spontaneous generosity made him a familiar presence wherever badminton enthusiasts gathered.

He often travelled from Hazaribagh on his beloved Vespa scooter, carrying his badminton racket and seeking the company of fellow players. He would sit with them, exchange stories and make everyone laugh.

He also had a habit of buying dal puri and other snacks for people he met, regardless of their age or status. Those small acts of kindness became part of the memories through which friends continue to celebrate his life.

For many, his greatness lay as much in his humanity as in his sporting achievements.

A personal legacy that shaped another generation

The influence of Aminul Islam Ustad also extended to people who might not otherwise have entered the world of competitive sport.

The author of this tribute recalls having little initial interest in sports. That changed through the encouragement of Aminul Islam Ustad, badminton player Pintu, Mobin, who served as secretary of the Badminton Federation, and Moshed Zaman, a prominent referee and experienced badminton personality.

With their support, the author received specialised training at the National Sports Council under a Chinese coach named Rongshu. The coach reportedly wrote a note of appreciation on the author's training certificate.

The author later competed in the doubles event of the Junior National Championship with Mohiuddin, the son of an official at a jute mill in Narsingdi, and went on to participate in first-division badminton competitions.

The author also represented Dilkusha, Wanderers and the Dhaka Badminton Club.

His involvement subsequently extended to sports administration. Having served as a member of the Badminton Federation for two or three terms, he recalls taking charge of the tournament committee during Mobin's tenure as secretary. In that role, he helped organise and oversee two major national tournaments at Mirpur Stadium.

These experiences, he says, remain among his most cherished memories—made possible by the encouragement and guidance of those who helped shape his sporting journey.

A bond that endures beyond death

For Aminul's admirers, remembrance has taken practical form. The Aminul Islam Ustad Memorial Badminton Tournament continues to be organised in his honour. His name has also been associated with social and cultural activities organised by Dhakabashi, a traditional organisation in Old Dhaka, including its colourful Eid processions and other community programmes. A library has also been established in his memory.

These initiatives reflect a continuing effort to preserve his contribution to badminton and to ensure that younger generations learn about the man who devoted so much of his life to the sport.

A Legacy Carried Forward by His Children

Aminul Islam Ustad believed that sport could cultivate character, discipline and leadership. He also gave his children the freedom to pursue their own ambitions.

His son, Zakariul Islam Swapan, became a recognised architect and badminton champion.

Among his four daughters, Tahmina Begum, known as Lovely, and Sabikun Nahar, known as Taji, have been involved in social welfare and humanitarian activities in Bangladesh.

Another daughter, Jasmine Sultana, known as Beauty, works as a teacher in Texas in the United States. His youngest daughter, Shiuli Khan, was a popular television personality in Bangladesh before her untimely death in 1988.

Their diverse paths reflect the independence he encouraged within his family and the values he sought to instil in his children.

The need for long-overdue state recognition

Aminul Islam Ustad died in June 2006. His admirers said that at a time when organised badminton was still developing in Bangladesh, his personal initiative helped establish the foundations on which the sport could grow. Yet they lament that he did not receive the state recognition they believe his contribution warranted during his lifetime.

His career raises a broader question about how Bangladesh recognises the pioneers who build sporting institutions, develop athletes and sustain a sport long before it achieves wider prominence.

The achievements of celebrated players are often measured in titles and medals. The contributions of mentors and organisers, however, can be harder to quantify, even when their influence extends across generations.

For those who knew Aminul Islam Ustad; the case for honouring him rests on this wider legacy: his achievements as a player, his role in establishing the Dhaka Badminton Club, his work in developing talent and his generosity towards the sporting community.

The author of this tribute has appealed to State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque to consider posthumously honouring the badminton pioneer with the National Sports Award or an appropriate special recognition from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Such recognition, the author argues, would acknowledge not merely an individual but also the contribution of an early architect of Bangladesh's badminton tradition.

Nearly two decades after his death, Aminul Islam Ustad remains a revered figure among those whose lives he touched. His admirers continue to organise tournaments, preserve his memory and pass on stories of his generosity and commitment.

For a man who devoted his life to building the sport and nurturing its future champions, the call for state recognition is ultimately a call to recognise the people behind Bangladesh's sporting achievements—not only those who win titles, but also those who make those victories possible.

​In Remembrance: Md. Sukur Salek
Former Badminton Player